Recommended Coaching Books for NBHWC Exam Prep
The coaching books mentioned below reflect the core concepts, theories, and skills tested on the NBHWC exam. They’re widely used in NBHWC-approved training programs and align with the NBHWC content outline. If you’re studying for the board exam, this list—along with the NBHWC Content Outline—is the best guide to understanding what topics and sources are relevant.
Do you need to read all of these cover to cover? Definitely not.
If you’ve completed a thorough NBHWC-approved coach training program, you should have already been exposed to the key concepts, theories, and coaching skills covered on the exam. These books aren’t required reading in order to pass the NBHWC exam, but they can be helpful if you’re the kind of person who enjoys diving deeper into the “why” behind coaching, brushing up on certain topics, or simply wants to keep growing as a coach.
Think of this list as a resource, not a to-do list.
You might read one or two books that spark your interest, or refer to a few chapters to reinforce a specific concept (like the stages of change or motivational interviewing). These are great options for those who want to go beyond the basics and build real-world understanding and confidence in their coaching knowledge.
Motivational Interviewing (3rd Edition)
William R. Miller & Stephen Rollnick
A foundational text for client-centered coaching. Learn how to work with ambivalence, evoke change talk, and support autonomy in your clients—skills that are essential for passing the NBHWC exam.
👉 Find it here
The wisdom of the whole
Linda Bark
A fun and interactive guide to holistic coaching that combines critical thinking with intuition, storytelling, and purposeful motivation. This book helps coaches and clients explore multiple dimensions of change for authentic, lasting progress toward goals.
👉 Find it here
Coaching Psychology Manual (2nd Edition)
Margaret Moore, Erika Jackson, & Bob Tschannen-Moran
A go-to manual for many NBHWC-approved programs. Covers coaching structures, key theories, and practical tools aligned with the exam’s core competencies.
👉 Find it here
Masterful Health and Wellness Coaching: Deepening your craft
Michael Arloski
For coaches ready to go beyond the basics, this book explores the deeper craft of coaching—emphasizing transformation, presence, and professional growth. A thoughtful blend of theory, research, and practical wisdom.
👉 Find it here
Wellness Coaching for Lasting lifestyle change
Michael Arloski
A foundational guide widely used by coaches and health professionals, this updated edition blends wellness principles with effective coaching strategies. It offers clear, practical best practices shaped by years of experience to support lasting lifestyle change.
👉Find it here
How to be a health coach
Meg Jordan
A comprehensive and updated guide used in over 100 training programs, this book covers behavior change models, biometric data, coaching skills, ethics, and diversity. It offers practical tools like session templates and wellness wheels, plus the latest research on neurobiology, mindfulness, and holistic health coaching.
👉 Find it here
Building Motivational Interviewing Skills
David Rosengren
A go-to resource for learning and mastering Motivational Interviewing (MI), this updated edition introduces the four-process model—engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning—while providing practical tools like sample dialogues, exercises, and downloadable worksheets. Ideal for building core MI skills such as reflective listening and guiding behavior change.
👉 Find it here
Co-Active Coaching, Fourth Edition: The proven framework for transformative conversations at work and in life
Karen Kimsey-House, Henry Kimsey-House, Phillip Sandahl, and Laura Whitworth
A classic and widely respected coaching guide that blends practical tools with transformative communication techniques. This updated edition expands coaching beyond life skills into leadership and workplace engagement, offering exercises and resources for building strong, collaborative relationships.
👉 Find it here
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Which of these books have you read—or are excited to dive into next?
We'd love to hear what’s been most helpful in your coaching journey or what other titles you’d add to the list.
P.S. If you're prepping for the NBHWC exam and want something more structured and streamlined than just books, check out the flexible study materials we’ve created at Health Coach Study Hall. They’re designed for busy health coaches and grounded in evidence-based learning strategies.
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